U.S. patent application number 13/544373 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-17 for systems and methods for tracking and monitoring an electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Matthew R. Godfrey, Timothy A. Tabor. Invention is credited to Matthew R. Godfrey, Timothy A. Tabor.
Application Number | 20130016009 13/544373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47506840 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130016009 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Godfrey; Matthew R. ; et
al. |
January 17, 2013 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACKING AND MONITORING AN ELECTRONIC
DEVICE
Abstract
An electronic tracking device includes a processor in
communication with a global positioning system (GPS) device, a
motion tracking unit, a data storage unit, and one or more
communication devices. The GPS device receives GPS signals, if
available, and generates GPS data corresponding to a location of
the electronic device. The motion tracking unit generates motion
data based on movement of the electronic device. The data storage
device stores the GPS data and the motion data at a plurality of
different times. The processor generates a data packet including
the GPS data and the motion data stored in the data storage device
at the plurality of different times. The one or more communication
devices transmit the data packet to a remote server for monitoring
the location of the electronic device based on at least one of the
GPS data and the motion data.
Inventors: |
Godfrey; Matthew R.; (Ogden,
UT) ; Tabor; Timothy A.; (West Jordan, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Godfrey; Matthew R.
Tabor; Timothy A. |
Ogden
West Jordan |
UT
UT |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47506840 |
Appl. No.: |
13/544373 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61505929 |
Jul 8, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
342/357.31 ;
342/357.54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 19/34 20130101;
G01S 19/49 20130101; G01S 5/0027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
342/357.31 ;
342/357.54 |
International
Class: |
G01S 19/16 20100101
G01S019/16; G01S 19/48 20100101 G01S019/48 |
Claims
1. An electronic tracking device for monitoring movements between
geographic locations, the electronic tracking device comprising: a
processor; a global positioning system (GPS) device in
communication with the processor; the GPS device to receive GPS
signals, if available, and to generate GPS data corresponding to a
location of the electronic device from the received GPS signals; a
motion tracking unit in communication with the processor; the
motion tracking unit to generate motion data based on movement of
the electronic device; a data storage device in communication with
the processor, the data storage device to store the GPS data and
the motion data at a plurality of different times, wherein the
processor is configured to generate a data packet comprising the
GPS data and the motion data stored in the data storage device at
the plurality of different times; and one or more communication
devices in communication with the processor, the one or more
communication devices to transmit the data packet to a remote
server for monitoring the location of the electronic device based
on at least one of the GPS data and the motion data.
2. The electronic tracking device of claim 1, wherein the one or
more communication devices comprises a first radio to communicate
the data packet to the remote server through a cellular
communication network.
3. The electronic tracking device of claim 2, wherein the one or
more communication devices further comprises a second radio
configured to communicate the data packet to the remote server
through at least one of a wireless access point using a standard
communication protocol and a dedicated radio frequency (RF)
receiver.
4. The electronic tracking device of claim 3, wherein the processor
is configured to communicate the data packet using the second radio
upon determining that the first radio is unavailable.
5. The electronic tracking device of claim 1, wherein the processor
is configured to trigger the electronic tracking device to generate
the GPS data and the motion data at a first predetermined interval,
and wherein the processor is configured to trigger the one or more
communication devices to transmit the data packet at a second
predetermined interval.
6. The electronic tracking device of claim 5, wherein the first
predetermined interval is different than the second predetermined
interval.
7. The electronic tracking device of claim 1, further comprising:
an electronic sensor unit in communication with the processor, the
electronic sensor to trigger the electronic tracking device to
generate the GPS data and the motion data.
8. The electronic tracking device of claim 7, wherein the
electronic sensor unit is further configured to trigger the one or
more communication devices to transmit the data packet.
9. The electronic tracking device of claim 7, wherein the
electronic sensor unit includes one or more devices selected from a
group comprising a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a video
camera, an audio detector, an accelerometer, and an electronic
compass.
10. The electronic tracking device of claim 1, wherein the motion
tracking unit comprises: an electronic compass to generate
directional compass data of the electronic device; and an
accelerometer to generate spatial orientation data and acceleration
data based on the movement of the electronic device.
11. The electronic tracking device of claim 10, wherein the data
packet comprises: the GPS data that is available for any of the
plurality of different times; the directional compass data for each
of the plurality of different times; the spatial orientation data
for each of the plurality of different times; and a time stamp
corresponding to each of the plurality of different times.
12. The electronic tracking device of claim 1, wherein the data
storage device comprises one or more ring buffers to store the GPS
data and the motion data at the plurality of different times, and
to replace oldest data in the one or more ring buffers with new
data.
13. The electronic tracking device of claim 12, where the one or
more ring buffers comprise: a first ring buffer for storing the GPS
data, wherein oldest GPS data in the first ring buffer is replaced
by new GPS data; and a second ring buffer for storing the motion
data, wherein oldest motion data in the second ring buffer is
replaced by new motion data, and wherein the GPS data in the first
ring buffer is not replaced by the new motion data.
14. A method for tracking an electronic device, the method
comprising: receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals, if
available, at a plurality of different times; for each of the
plurality of different times when the GPS signals are available,
generating GPS data; for each of the plurality of different times,
generating motion data based on movement of the electronic device;
generating a data packet comprising: the generated GPS data; the
motion data, and a time stamp corresponding to each of the
plurality of different times; and transmitting the data packet to a
remote server for monitoring the location of the electronic device
based on at least one of the GPS data and the motion data.
15. The method of claim 14, transmitting the data packet comprises:
determining whether a cellular communication network is available
for communication; if the cellular communication network is
available, transmitting the data packet through the cellular
communication network; and if the cellular communication network is
not available, transmitting the data packet through a wireless
access point using a standard communication protocol and a
dedicated radio frequency (RF) receiver.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: detecting a trigger
event; and in response to the trigger event, performing at least
one of generating the GPS data, generating the motion data, and
transmitting the packet data.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the trigger event is selected
from a group comprising expiration of a predetermined time period,
receiving a signal from a motion sensor, receiving a signal from a
proximity sensor, receiving a signal from a video camera, receiving
a signal from an audio detector, receiving a signal from an
accelerometer, and receiving a signal from an electronic
compass.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein generating the motion data
comprises: generating directional compass data corresponding to a
geographical orientation of the electronic device; and generating
relative spatial orientation data and acceleration data based on
the movement of the electronic device.
19. A method for monitoring a tracking device, the method
comprising: receiving at a server, a data packet from the tracking
device, the data packet comprising: global positioning system (GPS)
data, if available, corresponding to a location of the tracking
device at a plurality of different times; motion data based on
sensed movement of the tracking device at each of the plurality of
different times; and time stamps corresponding to each of the
plurality of different times; determining whether the data packet
includes current GPS data for a most recent of the plurality of
different times; if the data packet includes the current GPS data,
applying the current GPS data to geographic map data to display a
location on a map corresponding to the tracking device; and if the
data packet does not include the current GPS data, processing the
motion data based on a previously known location of the tracking
device to estimate the location of the tracking device.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: if the data packet
does not include the current GPS data, applying the estimated
location to the geographic map data to display the estimated
location on the map, and displaying an estimate of an error
corresponding to the estimated location.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the motion data comprises
directional compass data corresponding to a geographical
orientation of the tracking device, and relative spatial
orientation data and acceleration data based on the movement of the
tracking device.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein processing the motion data
based on the previously known location of the tracking device to
estimate the location of the tracking device comprises one or more
of: processing cellular tower location information from a plurality
of cellular communication network towers to triangulate the
estimated location; processing the directional compass data, the
relative spatial orientation data, the acceleration data, the
previously known location of the tracking device, and a relative
time since the tracking device was at the previously known location
to calculate the estimated location.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/505,929,
filed Jul. 8, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to systems, methods, and computer
program products related to the tracking and monitoring of an
electronic device.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Tracking and monitoring of an electronic device is becoming
more popular. For example, an electronic device may be tracked
and/or monitored for covert surveillance or security purposes.
Users currently use several COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf)
solutions to combine technologies to perform the tracking and
monitoring function.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one embodiment, an electronic tracking device includes a
processor in communication with a global positioning system (GPS)
device, a motion tracking unit, a data storage unit, and one or
more communication devices. The GPS device receives GPS signals, if
available, and generates GPS data corresponding to a location of
the electronic device. The motion tracking unit generates motion
data based on movement of the electronic device. The data storage
device stores the GPS data and the motion data at a plurality of
different times. The processor generates a data packet including
the GPS data and the motion data stored in the data storage device
at the plurality of different times. The one or more communication
devices transmit the data packet to a remote server for monitoring
the location of the electronic device based on at least one of the
GPS data and the motion data.
[0005] In certain embodiments, the one or more communication
devices include a first radio to communicate the data packet to the
remote server through a cellular communication network, and a
second radio configured to communicate the data packet to the
remote server through at least one of a wireless access point using
a standard communication protocol and a dedicated radio frequency
(RF) receiver. The processor is configured to communicate the data
packet using the second radio upon determining that the first radio
is unavailable.
[0006] In certain embodiments, the processor is configured to
trigger the electronic tracking device to generate the GPS data and
the motion data at a first predetermined interval, and to trigger
the one or more communication devices to transmit the data packet
at a second predetermined interval. The first predetermined
interval may be different than the second predetermined
interval.
[0007] In certain embodiments, the electronic tracking device
further includes an electronic sensor unit in communication with
the processor to trigger the electronic tracking device to generate
the GPS data and the motion data. The electronic sensor unit may
further be configured to trigger the one or more communication
devices to transmit the data packet. The electronic sensor unit may
include one or more devices selected from a group including a
motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a video camera, an audio
detector, an accelerometer, and an electronic compass.
[0008] In certain embodiments, the motion tracking unit includes an
electronic compass to generate directional compass data of the
electronic device, and an accelerometer to generate spatial
orientation data and acceleration data based on the movement of the
electronic device. In certain such embodiments, the data packet
includes the GPS data that is available for any of the plurality of
different times, the directional compass data for each of the
plurality of different times, the spatial orientation data for each
of the plurality of different times, and a time stamp corresponding
to each of the plurality of different times.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the data storage device includes one
or more ring buffers to store the GPS data and the motion data at
the plurality of different times, and to replace oldest data in the
one or more ring buffers with new data. The one or more ring
buffers may include a first ring buffer for storing the GPS data
and a second ring buffer for storing the motion data. The oldest
GPS data in the first ring buffer is replaced by new GPS data, and
the oldest motion data in the second ring buffer is replaced by new
motion data. However, to preserve the more accurate GPS data, the
GPS data in the first ring buffer is not replaced by the new motion
data.
[0010] In another embodiment, a method for tracking an electronic
device includes receiving GPS signals, if available, at a plurality
of different times. For each of the plurality of different times
when the GPS signals are available, the method generates GPS data.
For each of the plurality of different times, the method generates
motion data based on movement of the electronic device. The method
also includes generating a data packet including the generated GPS
data, the motion data, and a time stamp corresponding to each of
the plurality of different times. The method further includes
transmitting the data packet to a remote server for monitoring the
location of the electronic device based on at least one of the GPS
data and the motion data.
[0011] In certain embodiments, transmitting the data packet
includes determining whether a cellular communication network is
available for communication. If the cellular communication network
is available, the method includes transmitting the data packet
through the cellular communication network. If the cellular
communication network is not available, however, the method
includes transmitting the data packet through a wireless access
point using a standard communication protocol and a dedicated radio
frequency (RF) receiver. The standard communication protocol may
include, for example, WiFi or Bluetooth.
[0012] In certain embodiments, the method includes detecting a
trigger event. In response to the trigger event, the method
performs at least one of generating the GPS data, generating the
motion data, and transmitting the packet data. The trigger event
may be selected from a group comprising expiration of a
predetermined time period, receiving a signal from a motion sensor,
receiving a signal from a proximity sensor, receiving a signal from
a video camera, receiving a signal from an audio detector,
receiving a signal from an accelerometer, and receiving a signal
from an electronic compass.
[0013] In certain embodiments, generating the motion data includes
generating directional compass data corresponding to a geographical
orientation of the electronic device, and generating relative
spatial orientation data and acceleration data based on the
movement of the electronic device.
[0014] In another embodiment, a method for monitoring a tracking
device includes receiving, at a server, a data packet from the
tracking device. The data packet includes GPS data, if available,
corresponding to a location of the tracking device at a plurality
of different times, motion data based on sensed movement of the
tracking device at each of the plurality of different times, and
time stamps corresponding to each of the plurality of different
times. The method further includes determining whether the data
packet includes current GPS data for a most recent of the plurality
of different times. If the data packet includes the current GPS
data, the method applies the current GPS data to geographic map
data to display a location on a map corresponding to the tracking
device. If, on the other hand, the data packet does not include the
current GPS data, the method processes the motion data based on a
previously known location of the tracking device to estimate the
location of the tracking device.
[0015] In certain embodiments, if the data packet does not include
the current GPS data, the method applies the estimated location to
the geographic map data to display the estimated location on the
map, and displays an estimate of an error corresponding to the
estimated location. The motion data may include directional compass
data corresponding to a geographical orientation of the tracking
device, and relative spatial orientation data and acceleration data
based on the movement of the tracking device. In certain such
embodiments, processing the motion data based on the previously
known location of the tracking device to estimate the location of
the tracking device may include processing cellular tower location
information from a plurality of cellular communication network
towers to triangulate the estimated location. In addition, or in
other embodiments, processing the motion data based on the
previously known location of the tracking device to estimate the
location of the tracking device includes processing the directional
compass data, the relative spatial orientation data, the
acceleration data, the previously known location of the tracking
device, and a relative time since the tracking device was at the
previously known location to calculate the estimated location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the
disclosure are described, including various embodiments of the
disclosure with reference to the figures, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example electronic device
that may be tracked and monitored, according to certain
embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example system for tracking
and monitoring electronic devices, such as the electronic device
shown in FIG. 1, according to certain embodiments; and
[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating data flow for
tracking an electronic device according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Disclosed systems and methods for tracking and monitoring an
electronic device include a specific combination of technology and
monitoring services. Certain embodiments allow for small packaging
and simple deployment and operation.
[0021] One embodiment includes a power source, one or more motion
tracking devices, one or more electronic sensors, a data storage
device, and a communication device.
[0022] Using existing backbone communication infrastructures (e.g.,
cell towers, radio repeaters, WiFi "hot-spots" or access points, or
combinations of the foregoing or other communication systems),
certain embodiments may easily be deployed with little or no need
of building commercial or government infrastructure for operation.
In addition, or in other embodiments, one or more radio frequency
(RF) receivers may be deployed within a geographical location to
receive signals from one or more electronic devices being
monitored.
[0023] Certain embodiments include a web-based software package
that is capable of receiving transmitted data packets from several
sources, such as one or more electronic devices being tracked. The
web-based software package provides geographical coordinates of the
one or more electronic devices that can be displayed as points on a
graphical map. Absolute position, trail tracking, current
direction, and current speed of the one or more electronic devices
can also be derived from the data.
[0024] A tracker unit, according to certain embodiments, is
configured for covert deployment. The tracker unit can be placed
for a period of time and activated by sensor detection, or by
periodic interval. Once active, motion tracking readings are
sampled and stored. The stored data may be immediately transmitted
via a communication link, transmitted at periodic intervals, and/or
transmitted when a communication link becomes available.
[0025] The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by
reference to the drawings, wherein like elements are designated by
like numerals throughout. In the following description, numerous
specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of the
embodiments described herein. However, those of skill in the art
will recognize that one or more of the specific details may be
omitted, or other methods, components, or materials may be used. In
some cases, operations are not shown or described in detail.
[0026] Furthermore, the described features, operations, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. It will also be readily understood that the order
of the steps or actions of the methods described in connection with
the embodiments disclosed may be changed as would be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Thus, any order in the drawings or
Detailed Description is for illustrative purposes only and is not
meant to imply a required order, unless specified to require an
order.
[0027] Embodiments may include various steps, which may be embodied
in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a
general-purpose or special-purpose computer (or other electronic
device). Alternatively, the steps may be performed by hardware
components that include specific logic for performing the steps or
by a combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.
[0028] Embodiments may also be provided as a computer program
product including a machine-readable medium having stored thereon
instructions that may be used to program a computer (or other
electronic device) to perform processes described herein. In
certain embodiments, the machine-readable medium includes a
non-transitory medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but
is not limited to, hard drives, floppy diskettes, optical disks,
CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical
cards, solid-state memory devices, or other types of
media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic
instructions.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example tracker unit 100
that may be tracked and monitored according to certain embodiments.
The tracker unit 100 includes a processor 110, a power source 112,
a global positioning system (GPS) device 113, a motion tracking
unit 114, an electronic sensor unit 116, a data storage unit 118,
and one or more communication devices 120. The processor 110 may
include, for example, general purpose single-chip or multiple-chip
microprocessors, digital signal processors, embedded
microprocessors, microcontrollers, combinations of the foregoing,
or the like.
[0030] The power source 112 may include, for example, a battery. In
certain embodiments, the battery is a rechargeable battery. In
addition, the power source 112 may include one or more devices for
recharging the battery during use. For example, the power source
112 may include solar cells and circuitry for converting sunlight
into electricity for charging the battery. In addition, or in other
embodiments, the power source 112 may include a connector and power
conversion circuitry for charging the battery from an electrical
outlet (e.g., a 120V wall outlet or through a USB connection).
[0031] The motion tracking unit 114 includes one or more devices
for generating data used to determine the geographic location of
the tracker unit 100. In one embodiment, the motion tracking unit
114 includes an electronic compass and a 3-axis accelerometer. Data
from the motion tracking devices (and, in some embodiments, the GPS
device 113) may be superimposed or averaged to increase the
accuracy of tracking and monitoring the tracker unit 100. Further,
the motion tracking devices provide redundancy that allows for
identification of geographic location even when one or more of the
signals from these devices is degraded or absent. For example,
during operation, the tracker unit 100 may enter a building or
geological feature (e.g., a canyon) that prevents the tracker unit
100 from adequately receiving GPS signals from GPS satellites. In
such a case, data from the electronic compass and/or the 3-axis
accelerometer may continue to be stored and analyzed to
continuously track the tracker unit's movement while GPS is
unavailable. Without GPS, the accuracy of the tracker unit's
geographic location may drift over time. Once the GPS signals are
available again, however, the GPS data may be resynchronized with
the data from the electronic compass and/or the 3-axis
accelerometer. In certain embodiments, extrapolation may be used to
correct drift in the motion data that occurs during periods of GPS
unavailability.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the tracker unit 100 is configured
to enter an inactive or "sleep" state to conserve batter power and
to periodically awaken to an active state to gather and transmit
data. In addition, or in other embodiments, the electronic sensor
unit 116 includes one or more devices for triggering the tracker
unit 100 to perform a function such as generating data and/or
transmitting the data to a remote server. For example, to conserve
power and other resources (e.g., memory), the tracker unit 100 may
only need to generate and/or transmit data at certain times or
under certain conditions. The electronic sensor unit 118 may
include a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a video camera, an
audio detector, other triggering or sensing devices, combinations
of the foregoing, or the like. Thus, for example, the tracker unit
100 may only store video, still images, and/or audio when the
presence of a person is detected by the motion sensor, proximity
sensor, or by voice activation. Similarly, the tracker unit 100 may
only store location or other data when triggered by the electronic
sensor unit 116 or by the motion tracking unit 114 (e.g., the
3-axis accelerometer and/or electronic compass may also trigger the
tracker unit 100).
[0033] The data storage unit 118 stores data generated by the
tracker unit 100. The stored data may include, for example,
tracking and motion data, video data, still image data, and/or
audio data. In certain embodiments, the data storage unit 118
includes one or more ring buffers configured to store data
generated at specified time intervals and/or in response to a
trigger event. Because the one or more communication devices 120
may not always be available and/or because data may be transmitted
only during certain intervals to conserver power, new data may
replace the oldest data in the ring buffers to increase the
likelihood of transmitting all data in the ring buffers. Further,
because the tracker unit 100 does not receive confirmation that the
data has been received by the remote server, in certain
embodiments, a full set of data (e.g., the entire contents of the
one or more ring buffers) is sent to the remote server every time
data is transmitted, even if portions of the data have previously
been sent. In addition, or in other embodiments, because GPS data
provides more accurate location and tracking information, separate
ring buffers are used for GPS data and all other data. Thus, GPS
data is not overwritten with data from the accelerometer or digital
compass.
[0034] The one or more communication devices 120 communicate the
data to a remote server or other communication device. The one or
more communication devices 120 may be configured to communicate
using, for example, USB (universal serial bus), WiFi (IEEE 802.11
standards), GPRS (general packet radio service), CDMA (code
division multiple access), 3G (third generation telecommunications
standards), 4G (fourth generation telecommunications standards),
LTE (long term evolution standard), and/or other wireless or wired
communication protocols. In certain embodiments, the one or more
communication devices 120 are configured to support multiple
infrastructure formats to take advantage of different communication
infrastructures. The one or more communication devices 120, for
example, may use a plurality of different existing communication
channels as it moves from geographic location to location. Data can
be sent via, for example, WiFi, SMS messaging, cellular phone, or
other public systems. A WiFi or cellular link may be used, for
example, to transmit video, still images, and/or audio. SMS text
messaging may be used, for example, to send simple messages such as
updated GPS, accelerometer, electronic compass, and/or geographic
coordinate information.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example system 200 for
tracking and monitoring electronic devices, such as the tracker
unit 100 shown in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. The example
system 200 includes a tracking and monitoring system 210 in
communication with one or more user systems 212, 214 through a
network 216. The illustrated components may be implemented using
any suitable combination of hardware, software, and/or
firmware.
[0036] The network 216 may include, for example, the Internet or
World Wide Web, an intranet such as a local area network (LAN) or a
wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network
(PSTN), a cable television network (CATV), or any other network of
communicating computerized devices.
[0037] The tracking and monitoring system 210 includes a server 218
and a tracking database 220. An artisan will recognize from the
disclosure herein that the server 218 and the tracking database 220
can be implemented on one or more computers. Further, the user
systems 212, 1214 may include computers to communicate through the
network 216. These computers may be single-processor or
multiprocessor machines and may include memory having software
modules or coded instructions for performing the processes
described herein. In certain embodiments, the user systems 212, 214
include mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, and/or smart
phones.
[0038] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the tracker unit 100
described above in relation to FIG. 1 wirelessly communicates with
the tracking and monitoring system 210 through a cellular base
station 222 and the network 216. As discussed below, certain
embodiments also provide communication through a wireless access
point 224 (e.g., using WiFi or Bluetooth standard) and/or an RF
receiver 226. The server 218 receives the motion tracking data and
other data (e.g., video data, still image data, and audio data) and
stores the data in the tracking database 220. In certain
embodiments, the server 218 processes data from the GPS, electronic
compass, and/or accelerometer (discussed above) to create a virtual
world surrounding the location of the tracker unit 100. The server
210 may, for example, provide a display of location points on a
2-dimensional or 3-dimensional map, absolute position data, trail
tracking information, direction information, speed information, and
other details (e.g., times of day with respect to geographic
locations, or audio and/or video with respect to geographic
location).
[0039] The server 218 is accessible by the user systems 212, 214.
Thus, a user such as a government agency or private investigator
may access the data provided by the server 218. In one embodiment,
the users of the user systems 212, 214 are charged per packet of
information stored in the tracking database 220 and/or processed by
the server 218. In other embodiments, the users are charged based
on time usage in a service bureau type structure. In certain
embodiments, the server 218 provides a secure, HTML based web page
(e.g., accessible by HTML based web browsers, including mobile
applications for smart phones) to the user systems 212, 214.
[0040] As discussed above, the tracker unit 100 may be configured
to communicate with the tracking and monitoring system 210 through
a plurality of different communication channels. As shown in FIG.
2, the communication channels may include, for example, the
cellular base station 222, the wireless access point 224, and/or
the RF receiver 226. Thus, for example, the tracker unit 100 may
attempt to communicate through the wireless access point 224 and/or
the RF receiver 226 when communication through the cellular base
station is not available. When communicating through the cellular
base station 222, the server 218 may extract information from
headers of received data packets related to the identification
and/or location of the cellular base station 222. The server 218
may use the header information to estimate the location of the
tracker unit 100. In certain embodiments, the server 218 receives
data from a plurality of cellular base stations and uses
triangulation or multilateration to estimate a location of the
tracker unit.
[0041] Like the cellular base station 222, the wireless access
point 224 may provide communication with the tracking and
monitoring system 210 through the network (e.g., using the WiFi or
Bluetooth standard). In certain embodiments, the tracker unit 100
may push data through both secure and unsecure wireless access
points to the network. Further, the server 218 may use header
information in packets received from the wireless access point 224,
alone or in combination with header information in packets received
from the cellular base station 222, to estimate the location of the
tracker unit 100.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the tracking and monitoring system 210
may include one or more dedicated RF receivers 226. Such RF
receivers may be distributed throughout a desired monitoring area
(e.g., covering a selected neighborhood or city) or at specific
monitoring locations (e.g., near particular homes or businesses
where a suspect is expected to visit). The tracker unit 100 may
encrypt the data communicated to the RF receiver 226. The RF
receiver 226 may have a dedicated link (wired or wireless) to the
tracking and monitoring system 210. Although not shown in FIG. 2,
the RF receiver 226 may also communicate with the tracking and
monitoring system 210 through the network 216.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating data flow for
tracking an electronic device according to one embodiment. As
described above, a tracker unit processor 308 (such as the
processor 110 shown in FIG. 1) is configured to receive at least
one of XYZ orientation data 310, cell tower location data 312,
directional compass data 314, GPS data 316, and XYZ acceleration
data 318. In this example, "XYZ" refers to data corresponding to
three spatial dimensions. Skilled persons will recognize from the
disclosure herein, however, that two dimensional data (e.g., XY
orientation data and/or XY acceleration data) may also be used. The
tracker unit processor 308 is configured to gather each different
type of data (if available), time stamp the data, and record the
data as a data packet.
[0044] The tracker unit processor 308 provides the data packet to a
transmitter 320 (e.g., of the one or more communication devices 120
shown in FIG. 1). The transmitter 320 transmits the data packet
using any known communication method (e.g., CDMA SMS (short message
service) text message, RF data link, etc.) to a receiver 322. The
receiver 322 may be, for example, the cellular base station 222,
the wireless access point 224, the RF receiver 226, or any other
device in communication with the tracking and monitoring system 210
shown in FIG. 2. The receiver 322 may receive the data packet
using, for example, an IP (internet protocol) SMS (text) message,
an RF data link, a CDMA radio link, etc.), and provides the data
packet to a server 324 (such as the server 218 shown in FIG.
2).
[0045] If the received data packet includes the GPS data 316, the
server 324 uses the GPS data 316 to determine the location of the
tracker unit. In certain embodiments, the server 324 receives
geographic map data 326 and applies the GPS data 316 in the
received data packet to the geographic map data 326 (e.g., based on
longitude and latitude information) to generate a point on a map
corresponding to a location of the tracker unit at a time
corresponding to a most recent time stamp of the received data
packet.
[0046] If the received data packet does not include GPS data,
however, the server 324 may perform one or more location
calculations 328 to estimate the location of the tracker unit or
approximate relative movement of the tracker unit from its last
known location. For example, the server 324 may use the cell tower
location data 312 (from multiple towers) to triangulate a location
of the tracker unit. The server 324 may also use the XYZ
orientation data 310, the XYZ acceleration data 318, the
directional compass data 314 and relative time data between
successive data packets to determine approximate relative movement
from the last known location. In certain embodiments, locations
based on triangulation, approximate relative movement, and
histogram data (or other statistical analysis data) of historical
locations and/or movements are combined to increase the accuracy
(e.g., reduce the error) of the location of the tracker unit. The
server 324 may apply the calculated or estimated location of the
tracker unit to the geographic map data 326 to generate a point on
a map corresponding to an estimated location of the tracker unit at
a time corresponding to a most recent time stamp of the received
data packet. The server 324 may also display a range of possible
locations based on estimated location and an error estimate. For
example, if the server 324 determines that the estimated location
is accurate within 50 meters, the point on the map may be
surrounded by a circle with a radius of 50 meters extending from
the point.
[0047] In certain embodiments, the server 324 provides a secure
website (e.g., accessible by HTML based web browsers, including
mobile applications for smart phones) to users such as law
enforcement or private investigators. The users may use the secure
website to view current and/or historic location information, and
to download evidence of the locations and movement of the tracker
unit over time. The downloaded evidence may include, for example,
the GPS data 316, the estimated locations (e.g., based on the XYZ
orientation data 310, cell tower location data 312, directional
compass data 314, and XYZ acceleration data 318), and/or the data
packets received by the receiver 322.
[0048] While specific embodiments and applications of the
disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is to be
understood that the disclosure is not limited to the precise
configuration and components disclosed herein. Various
modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those of skill
in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details
of the methods and systems of the disclosure without departing from
the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of the present
invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following
claims.
* * * * *